Understand

In the 18th century, Paraty rose to prominence as a crucial port for exporting gold mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Safeguarding their gold from pirates and rival powers, the Portuguese made Paraty their secure harbor to transport the precious metal to Lisbon. Alongside Ouro Preto, Paraty played a vital role in the Royal Road, a route used for exporting gold during colonial times. Travelers between Rio and So Paulo also found respite in Paraty until the late 1800s when a new road was constructed. This period of isolation allowed Paraty to remain untouched by modern progress, preserving its enchanting old city. Rediscovered in the 1970s, Paraty has since become a beloved tourist destination.

Get in

To get to Paraty, you have multiple transportation options. If you're coming from Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, you can take an air-conditioned bus that runs between the cities and Paraty. The bus from Rio departs 12+ times a day and costs R$81.50 (June 2018), while the trip takes about 4.5 hours. From São Paulo, the trip takes about 6-7 hours and costs about R$73 (April 2017). You can book these bus tickets through Reunidas Paulista from São Paulo and Costa Verde Transportes from Rio de Janeiro. If you're on Ilha Grande, there is a daily boat and van transfer that leaves the island at 1:00 PM and arrives in Paraty around 4:00 PM. You can book this convenient transfer through Green Toad Bus. Alternatively, there are other boat and van transfer services that depart three times daily and can be booked in person from local tour agencies on Ilha Grande. From São Paulo, Paraty Tours operates two regular daily van transfers that depart from a central hotel and the GRU airport. These transfers provide a convenient way to get from São Paulo to Paraty. For a faster option, you can take a speedboat with Safari Transfers, which will get you to or from Ilha Grande in just 1 hour and 30 minutes. The speedboat departs from Paraty at 8:30 AM and returns from Ilha Grande at 11:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If you're looking for the cheapest way to reach Paraty from Ilha Grande, you can take the 10 AM CCR Barcas ferry from Abrao to Angra dos Reis, which costs R$15 and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Angra dos Reis, you can then take one of the half-hourly Colitur buses from Santa Luzia pier to Paraty for R$12.50, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours. While you can technically reach Paraty by air, there is only a small airstrip, so it is mainly used for chartered helicopters and small commercial or private aircraft. Another exciting option is to arrive by sea via sailboat or cruise ship from Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, or Ilha Grande!

Map & Climate

Popular Foods

Feijoada is a traditional Brazilian stew made with black beans and various meats, typically including pork, sausage, and beef. It's cooked slowly with onions, garlic, and spices, resulting in a rich and hearty dish. Often served with white rice, orange slices, and farofa (toasted cassava flour).

Pão de queijo, also known as Brazilian cheese bread, is a popular snack or appetizer made with tapioca flour and cheese. These small, round balls have a crispy exterior and a soft, cheesy interior. Commonly filled with cheese like mozzarella or minas cheese, they can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Moqueca is a seafood stew originating from the northeastern region of Brazil. It consists of fresh fish, shellfish, coconut milk, onions, tomatoes, and regional spices, cooked in a single pot. Usually served with white rice, it showcases the abundance of seafood found along Brazil's extensive coastline.

Historical Appearance

Traditional Male Clothing

Traditional Female Clothing